first off camera flash?

[JonHartPhoto]

Looking to buy my first off camera flash for my Sony, any suggestions on a moderatly priced system to learn on?

[groovyone]

The best bet if you want new right now is the HVL-F43AM. I have two and love them. They have all the design flexibility of the 58 in about a 2/3 sized and priced package. The 43 can even act as a commander on the A900/A850 and I think A77. The 43 also has a much wider range of manual power settings, going all they way to 1/128 in 1/3 stops while the 58 only goes to 1/32 in whole stops.

If you look used the 42 uses the newer wireless setup if you ever move to an A900/A850/A77 so it can be triggered as group 1 with a 43 or 58.

The Sony 56/Minolta 5600 was a killer flash and may be a great deal, but it doesn't play as nicely with the wireless setups if you move to using a 43/58 as a commander.

Avoid the Sony 36/Minolta 3600. Just not worth it.

Hopefully that helps!

I should add, all of them work well with radio triggers although you have to kind of 'trick' the 42 into working on one. I currently use three HVL-F58AMs and two HVL-F43AMs with a 42 as a backup. I have sold one 42 and a 56.

[ronocnikral]

or...you could always buy a used (and usually quite old) flash that has PC ports (like nikon). and then buy a 10' PC cord. i believe we have nikon sb28's. they have been blown over so many times....and they just keep going. no way I would risk our pricier 550exii. OCF doesn't have to be wireless.

on another note, if one decides they eventually want to be wireless, they should decide from the get go if they want radio triggers or to use the commander type systems. each have their pros and cons. personally, I like the system we have with our PW's and old nikon flashes on cheap (MPEX) stands. my 2 cents.

[groovyone]

The A550 does not have a PC port unless you get an adapter.

For radio I have the Cactus V4s and they have been very reliable, and were quite inexpensive.

[ronocnikral]

i don't know the in's and out's of sony's system (I can't even keep up with the old film systems I own, and they aren't adding equipment!). certainly a sony faux pas by not putting a pc port on the A550. if the canon world was shunned by the OCF community by not putting pc ports on their flashes, then sony should be hung equally as high...

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

i don't know the in's and out's of sony's system (I can't even keep up with the old film systems I own, and they aren't adding equipment!). certainly a sony faux pas by not putting a pc port on the A550. if the canon world was shunned by the OCF community by not putting pc ports on their flashes, then sony should be hung equally as high...

They have them on the 700 and higher series. They decided to omit them to save size on the A550. It is basically in line with the Rebel t#i series.

[JonHartPhoto]

thanks for the input guys, i def want to go wireless, go big or go home right, i was leaning towards the 42 mostly, not overpriced and not top of the line to learn on, plus ill def invest in a trigger as well for the hot shoe

[groovyone]

Check FlashZebra.com for iISO/ISO adapters if you go with radio triggers. I get all mine from them. I have one more 42 to sell but I think @r0xikat has dibs. Too bad you are not closer or I'd be able to let you test them.

[Abel]

Moving thread to our Lighting Discussions Section...

[JonHartPhoto]

oops sorry abel...

[JonHartPhoto]

for triggers...is there any competition for pocket wizard?

[groovyone]

Depends on how much you want to spend. The Cactus triggers are not as well built, but are a fraction of the cost. I haven't had any issues with mine, but I tend not to use them over huge distances. Phottix has Sony specific triggers now. I should have my hands on a set sometime this week.

[78novacaine]

Combine everything in the first post but the flash itself with the one I listed later on in post #9, that will have ya getting started with OCF for under $95

Complete Off Camera Flash Kit for $136

[JonHartPhoto]

wow thanks!

[acscarrow]

I use Elinchrom Skyport.

Looks like they updated the look of them...haha Never had any problems with them and use them quite often.

It will run you about $200 for a set.

Elinchrom Skyport Universal SPEED Set EL 19357 B&H Photo Video